Small repair clause in the rental agreement - you need to know that

In order to pass on the costs of minor damage to tenants, landlords provide their rental contracts with so-called small repair clauses. However, these clauses are only effective if certain requirements are met. We'll tell you what those are.

Small repair clauses in rental contracts are often invalid

If a repair in the rental apartment does not exceed a certain amount, the tenant can be obliged to pay it himself.

• Minor damage such as a broken water tap or a broken door handle is usually the responsibility of the landlord.
• With a so-called minor repair clause, the rental agreement can state that these damages must be remedied by the tenant.
• The costs for such disposal must not exceed a maximum amount of 75 euros.

Small repair clause rights

Many tenants do not know their rights to small repair clauses. You sign the rental agreement without knowing that various requirements must be met.

• The item to be repaired must be in the tenant's use or access. This includes, for example, dripping taps, defective switches or sockets.
• In the minor repair clause, an annual upper limit for the costs to be borne must be specified. This may not exceed 8 percent of the annual rent or a maximum of 200 euros.
• Agreements with which the tenant undertakes to be involved in all repairs with a certain amount are also invalid.
• It is also not the tenant's job to commission the repairs themselves. It is always up to the landlord. The lessee then only pays the invoice in the event that the minor repair clause in the rental agreement is valid.